In the wake of the arrest of Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burma Sanctions Coalition today called for Britain and the EU to immediately impose investment sanctions against Burma.
The coalition, whose members include Burma Campaign UK, Friends of the Earth, The Co-operative Bank, UNISON, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, are calling for targeted investment sanctions to cut the economic lifeline of the regime. The coalition was set up in response to calls for sanctions by Burma’s democracy movement.
“The arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and the nationwide crackdown on the democracy movement provides ample evidence that this dictatorship is not serious about reform”, says John Jackson Director of Burma Campaign UK. “This is one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world, responsible for massacres, torture, use of rape as a weapon of war and ethnic cleansing. Despite this all we get from Britain and other EU members are fine words and small gestures but no effective action. Frankly, it’s pathetic.”
The Coalition is calling for a ban on new investment in Burma. Foreign investment has been vital in helping to finance Burma’s military dictatorship. Many high profile companies, such as British American Tobacco, are in joint business ventures with the regime. Last month the US renewed its longstanding investment ban on Burma.
“Britain is lagging behind because it wants to take action at an EU level”, says John Jackson. “But this means Britain and other countries willing to take a tougher line are held back by countries such as Germany and Italy, who are much softer on the regime. Unless these countries have a sudden change of heart we believe Britain should act unilaterally to impose investment sanctions.”
The Burma Campaign UK, Burmese Democratic Movement, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide will be holding a protest at the Burmese Embassy in London onTuesday 3 June 12.30-1.30pm, calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners.
For more information contact John Jackson, Director of Burma Campaign UK or Mark Farmaner, Media Officer, on 020 7281 7377
NOTES TO EDITORS
Background
Reports suggest that ASSK received a serious head injury in the Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA) attack on a NLD motorcade on 30 May, which left a minimum of 4 people dead and 50 injured (numbers are likely to prove much higher than this). Eight motor vehicles and nine motorcycles are also said to have been destroyed. (The USDA is a military backed civilian political group set up in 1993 whose patron is none other than SPDC President Senior General Than Shwe. Its membership has been likened by Aung San Suu Kyi to the Hitler Youth.).
ASSK and 18 others were detained by the SPDC near Monywa, 600 kms north of Rangoon.
ASSK was brought back to Rangoon on 1 June and is being kept in an intelligence ‘guest house’.
Seven other senior NLD executives in Rangoon have been put under house arrest. The SPDC claims that ASSK and others have been put in ‘protective custody’.
CNN had earlier reported that ASSK’s car was hit by gunfire. Brigadier General Than Tun of Military Intelligence has denied that shots were fired.
NLD offices in Rangoon, Mandalay and Moulmein have been closed. Universities and colleges have also been ordered closed from 2 June indefinitely.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urgently called for substantive talks for national reconciliation in Burma to begin. UN Special Envoy for Burma, Malaysian Ambassador Razali who is scheduled to visit Burma on 6 June has said he expects to continue with his visit.
Analysis
The SPDC has been trying to give the false impression that a substantial number of people in Burma do not like ASSK and are willing to resort to violence to oppose her.
The SPDC is now calculating that it is less risky (vis-a-vis reaction from the international community) to arrest ASSK and crackdown on the NLD than to allow a popular movement to gain momentum. They have been surprised and worried by the immense public support for ASSK and the fact that in spite of open intimidation by the regime’s agents, the crowds have been growing. Universities – previously the centres of organisation for public protest – have been closed indefinitely for this reason.
These latest events indicate very clearly that the regime has had no intention of following through with pledged democratic reform. Their plan has been to drag out the talks that were being facilitated by the UN, isolate and marginalise ASSK, and use the time gained to get support from the neighbouring countries.
It is likely that we are now moving towards a confrontation in Burma. If this is so, it is critical that the international community moves swiftly to support ASSK and Burma’s people. Without a strong reaction the SPDC will take bolder action against her.